- Borussia Mönchengladbach have reached a verbal agreement with Alexander Blessin
- On Saturday, Jan-Moritz Lichte oversaw a 3-4 home defeat to Mainz after Eugen Polanski had been sacked following last week’s 5-0 loss to Freiburg
- Blessin will take charge during a three-week-long international break, with his first match set to be away against FC Köln
Gladbach Move Towards Blessin Appointment
Borussia Mönchengladbach are close to naming Alexander Blessin as their new head coach with the former St. Pauli boss is set to replace Eugen Polanski.
Gladbach sporting director Rouven Schröder confirmed after the Mainz game that the club have made significant progress in their search for Polanski’s successor.
🚨🆕 Borussia Mönchengladbach are in advanced negotiations with Alexander Blessin. Verbal agreement is in place.
Final details still need to be clarified. No Done Deal yet, but it is expected to be completed soon.@SkySportDE 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/HHc7OYIZ9v
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) September 20, 2026
“We have reached a verbal agreement,” Schröder said, adding that he expects the deal to be finalised “soon”.
“In this day and age, though, you have to make sure the signature is actually on the contract,” he added.
Blessin has a verbal agreement with Gladbach, with only the final details still being completed before he signs his contract.
Polanski Exit Followed A Troubled Start
Polanski was dismissed after a damaging opening run that included three straight defeats to begin Gladbach’s season. Article reports also state that his sacking followed last week’s 5-0 defeat to Freiburg.
His former assistant Jan-Moritz Lichte then took charge of Saturday’s home fixture against Mainz, but Gladbach were beaten 3-4. That result left Die Fohlen bottom of the Bundesliga with four straight league defeats, zero points and a 6-16 goal difference.
Why Schröder Values Blessin
Schröder is understood to appreciate Blessin’s direct communication, organisational structure and footballing ideas. Traits linked to Blessin’s background during his time as a coach at the Red Bull Academy in Leipzig.
When asked whether the candidate was still contracted to another club, Schröder replied: “You almost always have to speak to the former club, but perhaps not in this case.”
Before kick-off against Mainz, Schröder had already ruled out Horst Steffen and Christian Titz as candidates for the role.
Results Come First For Bottom-Club Gladbach
With Gladbach bottom of the table and searching for immediate improvement, Schröder made clear that the new coach’s system will be secondary to results.
“If a coach feels more comfortable with a back four, then we’ll play with a back four. And if it’s a back three, then a back three. What matters to us is this: we need results,” Schröder said.
Blessin will step into the job during a three-week-long international break, giving him time to adapt to his new environment before competitive action resumes. His first game in charge will be away to FC Köln, who have four points.
